Multi-resonator accordion



Aug. 25, 1964 v. SANTlNl 3,145,609

MULTI-RESONATOR ACCORDION Filed Feb. 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Vi/wenf San rim 1 N VE N TOR.

Aug. 25, 1964 v. SANTINI 3,

MULTI-RESONATOR ACCORDION Filed Feb. 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u, I I 1 9 a N :m a; i HEW gm 1 W1 & :WN m 2 N L /I,.3 H m g m nun 5*, E a 2% E Q Vince/n Sanfin/ INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,145,609 MULTI-RESONATUR ACCORDEON Vincent Santini, 2337 N. Booth St., Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Feb. 2, E62, Ser. No. 170,620 Claims. (Cl. 84-376) This invention relates to pneumatically operated musical instruments, such as accordions, producing musical tone waves in response to the flow of air through the medium of vibratory reeds emitting sounds travelling through sound resonating chambers.

The instrument of the present invention produces tonal effects of unexpected superiority to comparable instruments without reliance on the skillful hand tuning of the reeds nor the expensive selection of material for the sound cavities or chambers. Instead, the instrument of the present invention relies on a dimensional graduation in the sound chambers or cavities to produce the dilferent musical tones and the cooperative relationship of the aforementioned dimensional graduation to dimensionally graduated sound outlet openings in the sound reinforcing chambers or cavities selectively controlled by valves operated by the usual white and black keys on a piano-type keyboard.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the main object of the present invention is to produce an instrument having unexpected qualities without requiring skilled labor, expensive wood or other costly manufacturing features.

Another object of this invention is to produce a pneumatically operated musical instrument which features a plurality of resonant chambers or cavities which are dimensionally graduated in both air column lengths and widths cooperating with cooperatively constructed individual sound producing reed-equipped boxes to produce the various musical tones.

A further object of this invention in accordance with the foregoing object, is to provide a musical instrument having a plurality of sound reinforcing and resonating cavities or chambers with sound outlets that are graduated in size so as to produce a substantially equal airflow velocity through each of the cavities so as to uniformly produce vibrations of the dilferent reed boxes, the variations in tone being produced by the flow of air through each of the aforementioned dimensionally graduated sound reinforcing cavities.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, where in like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away of an accordion type instrument embodying the inventive principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view transversely through the instrument illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial broken sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial broken sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 2.

' Referring now to the drawings in detail, one typical type of instrument, namely an accordion is illustrated in FIGURE 1 and is generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The accordion involves therefore a manually actuated air flow producing bellows device 12 communicatively connected to an enclosure 14 mounting a top valve plate portion 16 and a keyboard generally referred to by reference numeral 18. The keyboard is 3,145,609 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 conventional. It includes therefore a plurality of natural tones usually associated with the customary whole note white keys 20 and their complemental half-note black keys 22. These keys are in the form of lever actuators and are pivotally mounted by the pivot shaft 24 secured in any suitable fashion to the top valve plate 16. Eadh of the keys has associated therewith a valve element 26 secured at the remote end of a lever arm 28 which is angularly displaced by depression of its associated key 20 or 22. Accordingly, each of the valve elements 26 is associated with a tone wave outlet opening 30 exposed through the top plate 16 forming the upper outlet ends of a plurality of sound resonating cavities or chambers in an acoustical unit or chambers in an acoustical unit or device generally referred to by the reference numeral 32 suspended below the top valve plate 16 within the enclosure 14.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in particular, it will be observed that the resonant chamber device 32 includes an elongated body having two longitudinal rows or series of staggered sound cavities 34 and 36 for respectively reinforcing the tones usually associated with the white and black keys. Accordingly, the valve elements 26 associated with the white keys 20 control the sound outlet openings 3% of the cavities 34 while the valve elements associated with the black keys 22 control the outlet openings of the sound cavities 36. The sound cavities are therefore enclosed on the top by the valved top plate 16, on the sides by downwardly converging Walls 38 and 49 preferably made of sheet aluminum and on the bottom by a bottom wall, an elongated wooden block 42. Referring now to FIGURE 3 in particular, it will be observed that each of the series of cavities 34 are separated by transverse compartment walls 44 while the two series rows of cavities 34 and 36 are separated from each other by a partition Wall 46 running longitudinally of the resonant chamber unit or device 32 between a high frequency tone end 48 and a low frequency tone end 50 as designated in FIGURE 4. It will be observed from FIGURE 4, that the sound cavities 34 are dimensionally graduated in length and width between a minimum length at the high frequency end 48 to a maximum length and width at the low frequency end 50. To this end, both the bottom closing block 42 or wall and the top plate or wall 16 are disposed in diverging relation to each other in forming the series of sound cavities 34. The series of sound cavities 36 are similarly dimensionally graduated in air coliunn length and width. It will also be observed, that the cross sectional dimension, either longitudinally or transversely of the series of cavities 34 and 36 is also graduated so that at the high frequency end 48 of the resonant chamber device 32, the sound cavities have a minimum cross-sectional dimension and a maximum crosssectional dimension at the low frequency tone end 50. Also, the compartment walls 44 between the series of cavities are progressively and proportionally decreased in cross-sectional thickness from the end 48 to the end 50.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing, that the dimensional graduation in the air column length of the cavities or chambers will produce different tonal effects from the same audio frequency vibrations transmitted therethrough. It will also be appreciated, that in view of the dimensional variation in the cross section of the resonant air columns proportioned to produce the different tonal effects, a difference in the volumetric flow of air through said cavities will be produced if the air velocity is maintained the same. Accordingly, the outlet openings 30 in the top plate 16 communicating with the sound cavities 34 and 36, are also dimensionally graduated so that the outlet openings of maximum dimensions are at the high frequency tone end 48 of the resonance chamber device 32 While the outlet openings at the low frequency tone end 50 are of minimum dimension. As more clearly seen in FIGURE 3, the dimensional graduation in the sound outlet openings 30 is achieved by varying the length of said openings. Accordingly, the reduction in the outlet opening as the volume of the cavities increases, will compensate for any increase in air velocity that would otherwise occur as a result thereof. The air velocity entering each of the cavities is thereby maintained substantially the same so as to uniformly produce vibrations in the sound emitting assemblies 52 and 54 respectively mounted on the side walls 38 and 40 of the sound resonating and reinforcing resonance chamber unit or device 32.

Referring therefore to FIGURE 2 once again, it will be observed that the sound producing assembly 52 mounted on the side wall 33 is aligned with the series of sound cavities 34. The sound producing assembly therefore includes a plurality of paired reed boxes 56 and 5S longitudinally and vertically spaced from each other, each pair of reed boxes 56 and 58 being cooperatively associated with one of the sound cavities 34. The reed boxes 56 therefore mount a pair of reed elements 60 and 62 as is well known in the art which reed elements will be vibrated in response to the flow of air thereacross at a predetermined velocity maintained substantially the same with respect to each of the sound cavities as hereinbefore mentioned. The paired reed boxes 56 are each therefore in communication with the complemental cavity or chamber 34 through the medium of paired inlet apertures 64 and 66. It will also be appreciated, that each of the reed boxes 56 may be readily constructed requiring therefore a minimum of skilled labor. It will also be appreciated, that the reeds 60, 62 are so dimensioned and made of suitable material so as to produce the requisite tones of the instrument in cooperation with their respective sound cavities 34. The plurality of reed boxes 58 are similarly constructed but the paired needs associated therewith are dimensionally different and tuned thereby to produce a different tone which is blended with the tone produced by the sound chamber in the box 56 and, in addition, within the companion sound cavity 34. It will therefore be appreciated, that the combined sound vibrations emanating from the reed boxes 56 and 58 associated with each of the sound cavities 34 produces an enriched melodic tone with the reeds being tuned so as to produce the desired whole tone intervals. The sound producing assembly 54 mounted on the wall 40 and associated with the series of sound cavities 36, is constructed and arranged in'a manner similar to that discussed with respect to the sound producing assembly 52 except that the reed boxes thereof are tuned so as to produce in cooperation with their respective sound cavities, the desired half tone intervals.

It will be observed from FIGURE 2 that each of the sound cavities may also have associated therewith a sliding gate element 68 that may be displaced by any suitable means such as an externally operated device (not shown) forming no part of the present invention, whereby any of the inlet apertures 7h, 72, 64 and 66 associated with each of the sound cavities and disposed in the side wall 38 or 40, may be closed in order to produce different combinations of sounds or tones in connection with each of the sound cavities. A wide range of musical tones may thereby be produced upon actuation of the keys lit and 22 of the keyboard 18.

From the foregoing description, the operation and utility of the present invention will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that by dimensional variation in both the length and the width of the sound cavities or chambers, the needs desired chromatic whole tones and half tones can be produced in response to the flow of air at a substantially uniform velocity with respect to each of the sound producing reed boxes when the sound outlet openings are opened upon depression of the keys on the keyboard. Expeditions construction and arrange ment of the individual self-contained reed boxes will therefore be possible and render manufacture of the device more economical. Also, enriched and blended tones will be produced without the necessity for expensive selection of wood and other materials for the acoustical resonance chamber device or unit. It will be furthermore appreciated, that the foregoing described features are associated with instruments involving the flow of air and hence are not necessarily restricted to accordion type instruments.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A piano-accordion acoustic unit embodying a horizontally elongated body having top and bottom walls, opposed side walls and end walls adjoining the top, bottom and side walls, a centralized lengthwise partition located between the top, bottom, side and end walls and provided on opposite sides thereof with complemental transversely disposed longitudinally spaced staggered partitions cooperating with the top, bottom and side walls and defining two rows of individual sound reinforcing and resonating chambers, the chambers of one row on one side of said longitudinal partition being for wholestep tones and the chambers on the other side for halfstep tones, each chamber being dimensionally and proportionally different from all other chambers and defining a sound resonating and reinforcing chamber distinct unto itself, each chamber being permanently closed at its bottom and interior sides and provided at its top in said top wall with a valved tone wave discharge port of a size in keeping with the dimensional size thereof, a cooperating portion of the side wall of said chamber having sound wave inlet openings in its upper halfportion and separate additional sound wave inlet openings in its lower half-portion, a first hollow reed box mounted on the exterior of said side wall, the hollow portion of said box providing a chamber and registering with said first-named inlet openings, and a second similarly constructed hollow reed box wholly detached from said first box and likewise mounted on said exterior directly below and spaced a significant distance from said first-named reed box, the hollow portion providing a second chamber registering with said additional inlet openings, the respective top and bottom walls of said boxes having typical reeds.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, and wherein said bottom wall is gradually decreased in cross-sectional thickness from a high frequency end to a low frequency end to provide a progressively sloping interior top side.

3. A conventional-type piano accordion capable of producing reinforced musical tone waves by the flow of air from a windchest, air-responsive vibratory reedequipped sound producing means, an acoustical-type resonance chamber unit embodying a plurality of dimensionally graduated resonance chambers in communication with their respective vibratory reed-equipped sound producing means and structurally designed and functionally adapted to produce tone waves in response to flow of air and sound waves therethrough, and selective flow controlling valve means cooperatively connected to the resonance chamber unit to selectively produce a flow of air through each of said chambers for sound producing vibration of said reed-equipped sound producing means, said chambers each varying in air column length between a minimum length dimension at a high frequency tone end of said resonance chamber unit and a maximum length dimension at an opposite low frequency end of the resonance chamber unit.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said selective flow controlling valve means comprises a plurality of key operated valves respectively associated with said chambers, said chambers having a plurality of sound outlet openings selectively opened by the valves and dimensionally graduated from a maximum size at a high frequency tone end of the resonance chamber unit to a minimum size at an opposite low frequency tone end of said unit.

5. For use within the confines of the wind chest of a conventional-type piano accordion in conjunction with and between conventional reed boxes equipped with typical reeds, a prefabricated self-contained acousticaltype tone resonating and amplifying unit structurally designed and functionally adapted to support the cooperatively associated reed boxes, said unit comprising: an elongated hollow acoustical body having imperforate end walls connected to an intervening bottom wall, opposed converging side walls, side side walls converging toward said bottom wall and having marginal edge portions connected to cooperating marginal edges of the bottom and end walls, said side walls being apertured and adapted to operatively support said reed boxes in cooperative association therewith, and a top wall fixed atop the upper marginal edges of said end walls and side walls, interconnected longitudinal and transverse imperforate partitions confined in the hollow portion of said body and defining two rows of individual chromatically ascending and descending tone amplifying and resonating chambers, said chambers being progressively graduated in air column length and Width from a high frequency end to the opposite low frequency end of said body, said top wall having sound outlet openings, one for each cooperatively associated chamber, said outlet openings being proportionally and dimensionally graduated from a maximum size at said high frequency end to a minimum size at said low frequency end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,171,802 Preston Feb. 15, 1916 1,716,835 Romanoif June 11, 1929 2,051,621 Schmidt Aug. 18, 1936 2,662,440 Gasero Dec. 15, 1953 2,684,005 Alberico July 20, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 8,929 Great Britain Oct. 11, 1906 

1. A PIANO-ACCORDION ACOUSTIC UNIT EMBODYING A HORIZONTALLY ELONGATED BODY HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS, OPPOSED SIDE WALLS AND END WALLS ADJOINING THE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS, A CENTRALIZED LENGTHWISE PARTITION LOCATED BETWEEN THE TOP, BOTTOM, SIDE AND END WALLS AND PROVIDED ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF WITH COMPLEMENTAL TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLY SPACED STAGGERED PARTITIONS COOPERATING WITH THE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS AND DEFINING TWO ROWS OF INDIVIDUAL SOUND REINFORCING AND RESONATING CHAMBERS, THE CHAMBERS OF ONE ROW ON ONE SIDE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL PARTITION BEING FOR WHOLESTEP TONES AND THE CHAMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE FOR HALFSTEP TONES, EACH CHAMBER BEING DIMENSIONALLY AND PORPORTIONALLY DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER CHAMBERS AND DEFINING A SOUND RESONATING AND REINFORCING CHAMBER DISTINCT UNTO ITSELF, EACH CHAMBER BEING PERMANENTLY CLOSED AT ITS BOTTOM AND INTERIOR SIDES AND PROVIDED AT ITS TOP IN SAID TOP WALL WITH A VALVED TONE WAVE DISCHARGE PORT OF A SIZE IN KEEPING WITH THE DIMENSIONAL SIZE THEREOF, A COOPERATING PORTION OF THE SIDE WALL OF SAID CHAMBER HAVING SOUND WAVE INLET OPENINGS IN ITS UPPER HALFPORTION AND SEPARATE ADDITIONAL SOUND WAVE INLET OPENINGS IN ITS LOWER HALF-PORTION, A FIRST HOLLOW REED BOX MOUNTED ON THE EXTERIOR OF SAID SIDE WALL, THE HOLLOW PORTION OF SAID BOX PROVIDING A CHAMBER AND REGISTERING WITH SAID FIRST-NAMED INLET OPENINGS, AND A SECOND SIMILARLY CONSTRUCTED HOLLOW REED BOX WHOLLY DETACHED FROM SAID FIRST BOX AND LIKEWISE MOUNTED ON SAID EXTERIOR DIRECTLY BELOW AND SPACED A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE FROM SAID FIRST-NAMED REED BOX, THE HOLLOW PORTION PROVIDING A SECOND CHAMBER REGISTERING WITH SAID ADDITIONAL INLET OPENINGS, THE RESPECTIVE TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS OF SAID BOXES HAVING TYPICAL REEDS. 